Cheboygan Rotary sells roses in campaign to wipe out polio

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By Gary Lamberg

Cheboygan Daily Tribune - Cheboygan, MI

By Gary Lamberg

Posted Oct. 17, 2013 at 12:01 AM

By Gary Lamberg

Posted Oct. 17, 2013 at 12:01 AM

CHEBOYGAN

For the fourth consecutive year, the Cheboygan Rotary Club is selling roses to raise funds to donate for the final push against polio and other international programs. For most , polio is a disease that has become a case of out of sight, out of mind. The disease was banished from North America years ago. Fortunately, Americans have had little to do with polio for a generation. Many people have never seen an Iron Lung, but they made the difference between life and death for thousands of polio victims in the United States just a few decades ago. Through an aggressive immunization program, Rotary International and its partners are getting close to eliminating polio from the planet. Since the†PolioPlus†program's inception in 1985, more than two billion children have received oral polio vaccine. But Rotary's work is not done. At least two countries still harbor the disease and its reintroduction to others is just a plane ride away. Once again, the theme of the fundraiser is “Take care of your DEAR, before going after your DEER.” Tickets good for one dozen roses can be purchased for the low price of $15. The roses will be available for pick-up Nov.7-8 at The Flower Station in Cheboygan. The club hopes hunters will want to do something special for those they leave behind when they head to the woods this deer season. The Rose Sale should generate $2,000 for the local club to contribute to global Rotary efforts. Although the polio epidemic may be a distant memory to many — cases have been slashed by 99 percent worldwide — it still threatens children in parts of Pakistan and Africa. Indeed, for as little as 60 cents worth of oral polio vaccine, a child can be protected for life. Rotary’s worldwide membership of 1.2 million men and women — representing about 33,000 clubs in nearly 200 countries — immediately embraced the effort by digging deeper into their own pockets, planning special fundraisers and rallying community support. Anyone who wants to learn more about this historic opportunity to end polio once and for all can visit www.rotary.org/end polio. Rose Sale tickets are available from Cheboygan Rotarians or at the Cheboygan Daily Tribune. Call Gary Lamberg for more information at 231-627-7144.